Tag Archives: heart

“It’s impossible,” said Pride

Posted on by
Reply

“It’s impossible,” said Pride. “It’s risky,” said Experience. “Give it a try,” whispered the heart.

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Debby Hudson

When facing a new challenge, doubt often tries to hold us back.

Pride may insist it’s impossible, shouting with certainty that there’s no chance to succeed.
Experience can warn that it’s risky, whispering reminders of past setbacks and failures.

But in those moments, the quiet voice of the Heart gently encourages us: “Give it a try.”

That whisper is Hope, inviting us to trust in possibility and growth. The greatest moments in life are born not from certainty or caution, but from courage and openness to new experiences.

Listen closely to your heart’s encouragement, for it’s there that dreams take root and progress begins.

EXERCISE:

How will you honor the whispers of your heart, take a chance, and believe in what could be?

How will you summon the courage and get your blood flowing with specific actions to overcome doubt and realize your heart’s desire?

Motivation comes from working on things we care about

Posted on by
Reply

“Motivation comes from working on things we care about. It also comes from working with people we care about.”

—Laura Berman Fortgang, Coach and Leadership Author

Image from Unsplash by Mika Baumeister

True motivation springs from the heart — when we engage in work that truly matters to us and collaborate with people we respect and care about.

This powerful combination fuels passion, persistence, and joy in what we do. When tasks align with our values and we share the journey with supportive colleagues or friends, motivation becomes an unstoppable force, making challenges feel like opportunities rather than obstacles.

To cultivate this energy, seek projects that resonate deeply and nurture relationships built on trust and encouragement.

By focusing on meaningful work and authentic connections, motivation naturally follows, inspiring us to reach higher and sustain our efforts. Ultimately, caring transforms work from a chore into a fulfilling and energizing experience.

EXERCISE:

Laura Berman Fortgang is a well-respected coach and author specializing in leadership, career development, and personal growth. You can learn more about her and her work at www.laurabermanfortgang.com

“Take a moment to find my hidden heart. I hope it inspires you to follow yours.”

Posted on by

“Take a moment to find my hidden heart. I hope it inspires you to follow yours.”

—Ali Luke, UK Writing Coach and Author

Image from Unsplash by Alex Shute

Today’s quote is from Ali Luke — my former writing coach — and is a gentle reminder that we all carry something sacred within us — dreams, passions, and truths waiting quietly to be seen.

Sometimes life grows noisy, pulling our attention away from what matters most. But when we pause, we reconnect with the heart’s quiet voice that guides us back to meaning.

Seeing someone else live authentically can spark something in us, too — it’s permission to listen more closely, to trust what we feel, and follow courage over fear. Your hidden heart isn’t lost — it’s simply waiting.

When you start to honor it, you’ll inspire others to honor theirs.

EXERCISE:

Recall someone you admire who follows their heart boldly. What do they do that inspires you?

Name at least one small action you can and will take this week that aligns with your own hidden heart.

“The great man is the one who does not lose his child’s heart.”

Posted on by

“The great man is the one who does not lose his child’s heart.”

—Mencius, Ancient Chinese Confucian philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Lauren Lulu Taylor

The Pocono Mountains are a special place for me. For the first eleven years of my life, I went to summer camp there with my family. My dad was the camp director and we all had a two-month vacation, first staying with my mom and then as campers.

The camp was sold at that point and it wasn’t until I was 24 that I rediscovered this special area by buying into a time share which we’ve used for the past 40 years.

This year, we had the extra special treat of have both our adult children — now 36 and 38 — along with our two delightful grandchildren to relive and renew our child’s hearts.

EXERCISE:

What people, places, and things help you tap into the exciting and playful aspect of life?

“The heart is not a knee that can be bent.”

Posted on by

“The heart is not a knee that can be bent.”

—Senegalese proverb

Image from Unsplash by Willian de Oliveira

We live in two fifty-five and older senior communities — one in Pennsylvania, one in Florida. For many of us, the added trips around the sun come with various maladies — including conditions related to the wear and tear on hips, shoulders, and — given today’s quote — knees.

Some of the people I know have experienced many of these conditions on multiple occasions. What always inspires me are their courageous hearts, which have them face their challenges and continue to take each step to live as fully and meaningfully as possible.

EXERCISE:

How does your own courageous heart help you stand tall and steady when life tries to bend you over and knock you down?

Be careful not to let the noise in your mind overpower the whispers of your heart

Posted on by

“Be careful not to let the noise in your mind overpower the whispers of your heart.”

—Cory Muscara, international speaker and teacher on mindfulness and positive psychology

Image from Unsplash by Nick Fewings

As a child I was fearful of going to the doctor. The unfamiliar surroundings, the strange smells, and the anticipation of getting a shot from the scary nurse was something to dread.

Doctor Wiederman was always kind and gentle, with a reassuring voice. On one visit, he let me use his stethoscope to listen to my heartbeat. This pulsing sound seemed to let me know that everything was OK and that he and his staff were only there to keep me healthy.

As I’ve gotten older, my perspective on my heart has expanded from a blood pumping organ to the source of my soul. Taking the time to be quiet and listening to its messages is something we can all practice daily.

EXERCISE:

Where and when do you take the time to listen to the whispers of your heart?

How can you quiet the noisy voices of your mind to embrace this inner wisdom?

The heart is very much like a miraculous balloon. Its lightness comes from

Posted on by

“The heart is very much like a miraculous balloon. Its lightness comes from staying full. Meeting the days with our heart prevents collapse.”

—Mark Nepo, Author of The Book of Awakening

Image from Unsplash by Ali Goldstein

Last year around this time my daughter and grandson — who was then 2½ — came to spend part of the holidays with Wendy and me in Michigan. Since little Weston had a far more limited selection of toys at grand-mom’s and pop-pop’s house, we did our best to entertain him.

Among his favorite diversions that week was a small happy birthday balloon we had kept on our window sill, still fully inflated from the previous year’s celebration.

It was a miracle that a two-dollar balloon could fill this little boy’s heart with such joy for the entire time. His engagement with this shiny orb and lots of heartfelt attention filled us all with lightness and the joy of being together.

EXERCISE:

What balloons do you intend to fill this holiday season? What heartfelt activities will you bring to the days with those you love to keep things light?

“Don’t set your heart on so many things.”

Posted on by

“Don’t set your heart on so many things.”

—Epictetus, ancient Greek Philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Luis Villasmil

Our hearts can be a bit like our hands — they can only grasp and hold so much.

The media keeps telling us the lie, “You Can Have it All!”

Many who pursue the never-ending journey of MORE eventually consume their lives in a frantic race, rarely feeling extended periods of satisfaction, contentment, and peace of mind.

I love the idea that the best things in life are not things. Traveling lighter with what fills our hearts and nurtures our souls seems far wiser council.

EXERCISE:

If your heart is a bit heavy these days or if what you have is not fully satisfying, try a bit of physical, mental, and emotional uncluttering. Please reply to this post to let me know what you discover about your heart’s true desires.

“Follow your heart but take your brain with you.”

Posted on by

“Follow your heart but take your brain with you.”

—Alfred Adler, 20th Century Austrian MD & Psychotherapist

Image from bbc.com

As a child, The Wizard of Oz was one of my favorite movies. Given its length and the fact that you had to watch it live with no way to record it, my mom would let us eat dinner carefully on those tacky plastic trays in the living room, gathered around our only TV.

As Dorothy traveled the yellow brick road with her little dog Toto, she teamed up with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion — they were hoping the Wonderful Wizard would give them a brain, a heart, and courage, respectively.

EXERCISE:

Where is your life calling on you to follow your heart and use all of your brains to courageously pursue your dreams and find your way home?

 

“Follow your heart. Purpose will reveal itself to you only while walking your own path.”

Posted on by

“Follow your heart. Purpose will reveal itself to you only while walking your own path.”

—Brendon Burchard, New York Times best-selling author

Image from Unsplash by Lucas George Wendt

These days, many people are feeling a bit lost.

The proverbial bread crumbs they placed along their life paths have been blown, washed, or burned away by the events and challenges facing us all.

Taking time to look around at reality—and within our hearts—to revisit or discover our foundational values and core life principles is a good place to start.

Doing so will likely reveal various paths you can take and what direction to head. In these moments, it can be enough to step forward in ways that express these values.

Trust your heart that purpose and meaning will meet you on the way.

EXERCISE:

Consider completing the Life Vision Exercise to see what your heart has to say, and pack a few snacks for your purposeful journey.